ALBUM REVIEW: Destroyer of Light - "Chamber of Horrors"

By: Eric Crowe

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 14/07/ 2017

Label: Heavy Friends Records

I will have to say that this album falls into an epic category for its great compositions, the honest heart involved in creating such a journey of ebb and flow, the range of emotion that continues what true music is about; music that continues what early St. Vitus and Trouble were doing, but DoL are creating it their own way.

“Chamber of Horrors” CD//DD//LP track listing:

1. Whispers Into the Threshold

2. Into The Smoke

3. The Virgin

4. Twilight Procession

5. Lux Crusher

6. Prisoner of Eternity

7. Buried Alive

The Review:

With them guitwangers a twangin’ and them vocals be sangin’ these TX fellas know how to doom! Texas doom-mongering road dogs Destroyer of Lighthave created a masterpiece of an album with “Chamber of Horrors” right down to the magnificent and dreary artwork by Adam Burke. I have had the pleasure to play with these guys and hang out with them on various occasions, and I tell you, they only continue to get better and better. This album from beginning to end is full testimony of that growth.

“Whispers Into The Threshold”leads the charge on this provocative release, with a slow build into a drive that you want to hear keep going, but alas, it’s a 1:38 intro track that already sets the tone and leads you into a heavy wanting for more. There’s more, so be ready to just sit back and really, and I mean really, take it all in. Songs like “Into The Smoke,” “Lux Crusher,” and their single, “Prisoner of Eternity” will have you pounding your fists and raising your chalice for their powerful nature and great feel. Tones are blending perfectly between Jeff (Bass) Keegan and Steve (Guitars) building these sonic stories with absolute perfection, solos that will peel the skin off your face and vocals that will sooth away all that pain. Steve’s vocals continue to impress me as he is at the top of his game on this album, vocal wizardry throughout. His delivery is strong and confident, commanding the presence deserved. Penny’s drumming is a key element to bring all this together. He’s solid and in the pocket when he needs to be, but accents moments perfectly, but not everything is about heaviness and drive, there are subtleties and even instrumental passages that give you a chance to just sink back and reflect, like “Twilight Procession.”

My personal favorites have become “The Virgin,” and “Buried Alive.” Both tracks seem to take their time to construct a story, especially the latter being 10 minutes long, but man, what an honest treat. I know a lot of people throw around the term Epic, so much so that it really has lost its meaning and impact. I will have to say that this album falls into an epic category for its great compositions, the honest heart involved to create such a journey of ebb and flow / range of emotion that continues what true music is about; music that continues what early St. Vitus and Trouble were doing, but creating their own way. “Chamber of Horrors” is a must have, or at least check it out and give it a full listen through. It just gets better and better with every listen for me. Amazing job DoL, amazing!

“Chambers of Horrors”is available here

Band info: facebook || bandcamp

2016 ALBUMS IN BRIEF: Fleshgod Apocalypse - “King”, Despised Icon - “Beast”, Witchden - “Salt of the Earth” & Surtur - “Descendant of Time”

By Theron Moore, Richard Maw & Eric Crowe

Fleshgod Apocalypse- “King”

So, the other day, I was having a conversation with Sir Aardamoor, a knight of the 3^rd Order in the Court of King Gallbreath, and we were discussing the best bands to pump up the troops in the field right before storming a castle.  Fleshgodwas his choice.  No surprise, no shock. 

To say that Fleshgod is epic in a cinematic way is pretty much a no brainer.  Everything they do is big starting off with “March Royale” the instrumental that opens the record and brings forth visions of massive troop movements, Trebuchets hauled in by slaves, and, well, the siege of a castle.  “In Aeturnum” continues the mythical siege replete with soaring, crushing, metallic vocals and background opera as well.  Fleshgod has come to play.

I like what they do.  Fleshgodis good at pulling this off just like Manowar is right on with their chest pounding, bruh-metal.  Both bands are convincing, especially Fleshgodon this, their new record, “King.”   They’ve figured out how to make cinematic metal work, how to construct it, and more importantly, how to execute it to maximum impact.  This is “Ben-Hur,” “Clash of the Titans,” “Timeline,” and lest not we forget, “300” put to music.  Make no mistake about it, Fleshgodisn’t about power ballads or hammers being thrown ala Hammerfall or Hammerfall-lite, Hammer King.  Continuing with the movie theme, those bands would be made for TV movies.  Fleshgodis full on IMAX, 3-D, big budget, franchise stock.

This is heavy music.  Probably some of the heaviest you’ll have heard last year going into this.  This juggernaut will kill posers on sight, so beware.  So, here’s what you do.  Grab a tankard of Grog, watch “300,” and when you get groggy enough, crank up “King” by Fleshgod Apocalypse.  That’s it, that’s your evening.  You’re welcome.

Band info: facebook

Despised Icon- “Beast”

Whoa.  “Beast” is an apt way of describing this record.  Its ten tons of bricks fallin’ on your head, smacked in the face by a wrecking ball, with an iron pipe to the balls.  Although the band hails from Canada I’d describe their sound as US, East Coast hardcore with a slight hint of death metal thrown in for good measure. 

Despised Iconreturns from the dead with “Beast” via Nuclear Blast Records, again showcasing the mighty pipes of dual vocalists Alex Erian and Steve Marois who come ‘atcha like a tsunami.  Track four, “Bad Vibes,” is testament to this.  This song’s gonna hurt people in the pit.  I like the recurring death metal break in this song reminiscent of bands like Putrified, Gorevent or Fetal Disgorge.  Nice touch.  Cranks the brutality factor up by 10.

“Beast” kinda swings me over to bands like First Blood or Terror that have that street grittiness, back room, bare knuckles fighting feel.  Reunions often feel like lame money grabs without soul, tryin’ to sell you a brand but not the case with Despised Icon.  “Beast” is this band firing on all cylinders, lookin’ and soundin’ refreshed, stompin’ around the stage, words getting spit out of the mic like bullets out of a gun. 

Undoubtedly what makes Despised Icon stand out is the dual vox.  That’s why songs like “The Aftermath” and “Drapeau Noir” sound as heavy and tough as they do. 

The switch up between hardcore and death metal sounds, adds that extra layer of aggressiveness that puts this band over the top and allows them to change up musically at the drop of a hat and not skip a beat.  The problem you run into with a lot of hardcore bands is the fact that they can only work within set boundaries, often fencing themselves in.  With dual vocalists in Despised Icon, and the bands killer ability to nail a thrash groove, hardcore or death metal, the music is constantly evolving and staying fresh which is exactly what you get with “Beast.”  Buy it and mosh!

Band info: facebook

Witchden - “Salt of the Earth”

Minnesota, Minneapolis sludge mongers Witchdenhave finally returned this year with “Salt the Earth” and damn it’s a stellar follow-up from the 2012 “Consulting the Bones”. Released October 31 last year, this new album has really blown me away with well crafted songs, solid riffs and a slow mean drive. Guitars are unforgiving with amazing tone, with clarity and crunch and blend perfectly with the thick chest rumbling bass. Drums are crushing and on point the entire album and exactly what it needs.

Most of the album keeps about the same tempo, a good heavy drive, but does break into so aggressively sludgy moments that add such a weight to that album that really sticks with you. But a song like “The Old Blood” breaks away from the dark tone and has a stronger groove to it, good for night driving. “Unholy” tends to be one of my favorites; it recently appeared on Doomsayer Records ‘Volume Two” compilation. It’s just got that previously mentioned slow mean drive with guttural / throaty vocals leaning toward a death metal side of things, which to me is a nice touch. Like I said before, this is a stellar release with tracks like “Negasus”, “Salt The Earth”, The Old Blood” and “Unholy” that really stand out to me for their uncompromising heaviness and being a killer album from start to finish. A must have from 2016.

Band info: bandcamp || facebook

Surtur - “Descendant of Time”

What do we have here? No less than the finest thrash from the intense heat of Bangladesh! With Exaltertreading the boards in the same country, the Bangladeshi's are making a name for themselves in this genre; violent thrash. The band photo shows one of the guys wearing a Kreatort-shirt. It's a good reference point.

This is certainly thrash in the Teutonic vein: riotous and evil sounding. After the scene setting intro “Prologue to Chaos”, the title track kicks off with some paint stripping riffing, vocalising and soloing (in that order). Vicious stuff. “Demolisher” follows up with a slower and steadier start, but it soon accelerates to early Sepultura pace.

The EP is shamelessly influenced by the late 80's German thrash squads- and the South American greats, too. This is a more satisfying approach than many modern American bands; who are too clean sounding and too slick. This is music played for the joy of it, played for the violence of it and, despite the violence it is, indeed, fun.

“Maggot Filled Brain”is the charmingly titled closing track which shifts through the thrash gears impressively, with each band member laying down an impressive and forceful sound. Simply put, this is a sharp EP for all those who like their thrash feral and unfriendly.

Band info: bandcamp|| facebook

ALBUM REVIEW: Wasted Theory - "Defenders of the Riff"

By: Eric Crowe

Album Type: Full Length

Date Released: 30/10/2016

Label: No Slip (Vinyl) |

Doomsayer Records (Cassette)

“Defenders of the Riff” CD//CS//DD//LP track listing:

1. Get Loud or Get Fucked

2. Black Witch Blues

3. Atomic Bikiniwax

4. AmpliFIRE!

5. Gospel of Infinity

6. Belly Fulla Whiskey

7. Under The Hoof

8. …And The Devil Makes Three

9. Throttlecock

10. Odyssey Of The Electric Warlock

The Review:

“Defenders of the Riff” is right! Thank God for bands like Wasted Theory that keep straight up rock ‘n roll alive and well. High in the ranks along with Gruzerand The Medusa, this album is some serious hard hitting slab of badass, from the killer artwork by Alexander Von Weiding to the intense drive and catchy hooks. This album is perfectly crafted and completely ups the ante from “Death and Taxes” which was a flawless album in itself. Dirty rock, gritty vocals mixed either with riffs that have tons of drive, or slow chug that even makes you feel like a badass. Drums are fluent, clean, yet powerful as fuck. From beginning to end “Defenders of the Riff” will not disappoint.

These guys have really crafted something great and I know that I have been hooked on it for the past week, so I’m curious to see what will come in the future. This is definitely for fans of Clutch and Nashville Pussy, so get on this album.

 “Defenders of the Riff” is availablehere

 Band info: bandcamp|| facebook